Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 042299• CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING APRIL 22, 1999 The April 22, 1999, workshop meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were found to be in attendance: Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado, Councilman Eric Jablin, Councilman David Clark, and Councilman Carl Sabatello. CITY MANAGER REPORT City Manager Herakovich reported 400 children had attended the Earth Day tree planting event and that St. Mark's School had raised $60 for the tree. The City Manager announced that WCI had paid $375,000 to the City as the first condition of their forbearance • agreement. City Manager Herakovich reported the PGA Corridor Group had met and reviewed the flyover design; an objection was anticipated from Lohemann's Plaza regarding their traffic access; and the group did not support the proposed DOT staging area in front of the Medical mall at the corner of Alternate A -1 -A and PGA Boulevard. An Executive Session of the City Council was set for May 6 at 6:30 p.m. Problems with fencing for the municipal complex were reported for which the City Manager anticipated quick resolution. PRESENTATIONS Recreation Advisory Board Recommendations for Urban Park David Barth of Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez and Rinehart presented elements recommended for a proposed urban park west of the Gardens Mall, including connections to surrounding land uses via streets, sidewalks, and bikepaths, views of the lake, access to public transportation, a mix of uses, public access from adjacent public streets, an interactive playground, public art, an interactive fountain, an amphitheatre for public gatherings, utilities and design to accommodate public events with concessions and vendors, public restrooms, and top quality building • materials in street lights, benches, etc. Mayor Russo expressed CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/22/99 2 concern whether people would drive to the mall complex to get to this particular site, whether the City would have to purchase the land, and whether the concept would be successful. Vice Mayor Furtado expressed her opinion that a gathering place was needed in this area and that the stores would not be in competition with the stores inside the mall. Councilman Sabatello commented that he did not believe the City belonged in the business of coordinating with a developer and becoming a part of his business, and expressed concern that many of these types of town centers were unsuccessful. Councilman Sabatello expressed his opinion that a better location for an amphitheatre and public events would be at the district park off Central Boulevard. Councilman Clark expressed his opinion that parks were needed on the east side of the City near PGA Boulevard and that this concept should be pursued as a different kind of park. Vice Mayor Furtado urged support for the concept proposed, stating that the plan shown was merely an idea of what could be developed. A WCI representative commented that the six -acre parcel was for sale for public use; however, there was a difference of opinion expressed by Ed Oliver, who explained he had researched and learned that the mall site had • been designated for public use but was not to be purchased by or dedicated to the City. Mayor Russo expressed his opinion that the site proposed for development by Mr. Catalfiuno would be a better site. Mr. Barth explained the City's vision must be clear in order to ask the private sector to deliver that vision in a way that would be profitable. Dan Catalfumo requested direction for the use of the six acres. Councilman Sabatello expressed his opinion that more facts were needed. Vice Mayor Furtado explained that the purpose of this presentation was to remind the City Council that the residents wanted an urban cultural park site in accordance with the visioning plan. Mr. Catalfiimo and Mr. Forbes were invited to attend the next meeting on this subject, after research had been done to determine whether the City was entitled to the site and to provide alternatives. Capital Improvement Plan FY1999/2000 - 2003/2004 The City Manager explained the Capital Improvement Plan was a planning tool and was updated annually. The plan was based on taking care of existing buildings, infrastructure, etc., maintaining an equal level of service to that currently in place, meeting development demands for service, and proposing new programs and • new services, in that order. The proposed tax increase was approximately 8% because of Fire Station 3 and staffing needs. 0 0 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/22/99 K, Finance Director Kent Olson explained that employees for the Fire Station were proposed to be hired in phases. Mr. Olson discussed how the proposed tax increase would impact homeowners, and reviewed anticipated revenues from other areas. Vice Mayor Furtado recommended a well - qualified grant writer to obtain more grant money for the City, and explained that the Juvenile Justice grant would continue. Proposed records management software and a computer administrator were discussed. The services back to residents for money spent was questioned. Another question was where money was being saved in this budget. E- commerce to provide services to residents in the future was discussed. Better justification for requested staff positions was requested. The Finance Director explained the need for an accountant. The Human Resources Director explained that a periodic study to determine whether the City's salaries were in line was due during the next year. Growth Management Department personnel needs were discussed. The need for streamlining Code Enforcement paperwork was discussed. City Manager Herakovich explained that no additional vehicles or Code Enforcement Officers had been budgeted for the future. Code Enforcement Administrator Paul Friedman reported that Code Enforcement had been working with the Police and Fire Departments, which had been very successful. The need for new Fire Station No. 3 was attributed to the need to provide quicker response times for increased call volume. Sharing transportation by different departments instead of constantly purchasing additional vehicles was discussed. The Police Chief FitzGerald explained that where possible, civilians were used to replace police officers working in -house so that more officers could be on the street. The Police Chief explained that a centralized Northern Palm Beach County dispatch for fire, police and 911 could be in place within a couple of years, which would reduce overtime paid to dispatchers. Concern was expressed that the Public Works Department was becoming too large and that some contractual work could be done. In response to a question of whether medians, landscaping, and sidewalks could be included with roadway improvements, it was explained that gas tax funding was earmarked only to improve roadways. The City Manager commented that in some older neighborhoods there would be opposition to sidewalks. A report on the cost of median maintenance was requested. A proposed private roadway mowing contract so that current employees could be utilized for other duties was discussed, as well as possibilities for other privatized work. Mayor Russo questioned whether the City's commitment for CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/22/99 4 development of the district park was expected before 2004. It was explained that the County was no longer developing district parks, but was giving the City approximately $3.5 million for the land purchase. Recreation impact fees according to levels of service were discussed. The City Manager stated staff would do a revenue projection based on dwelling units to determine impact fees. Vice Mayor Furtado commented that a missing link all across the country was lack of things for kids to do, and Palm Beach Gardens had started in the right direction by providing activities. The Vice Mayor reminded the City Council that Mr. Fine had volunteered design services for the teen center and requested that project not be dropped. It was agreed to look at the program to see why there was not much participation. The Vice Mayor expressed her opinion that from the standpoint of safety an adult should be present at the City's community centers weekends and nights, and suggested staggering working hours of personnel or using adult volunteers. Mayor Russo questioned whether current recreation and fire impact fees were correct for the levels of service provided, and requested an evaluation of current impact fees by the next meeting; and also requested research into a facility component allowing funding for future facilities and not just land donations. It was decided to delay discussion of the golf course. Direction to staff was to do whatever was possible to bring the budget costs down. Discussion ensued regarding holding bond referendums, and not to hold one every year. During discussion of a relocated and expanded Public Works facility, it was agreed an analysis should be done before making such a decision. 0 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/22/99 V1 11 r• J. ►IUI_ ► APPROVAL: ATTEST: 5 There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Vice Mayor Furtado, the meeting 621�� I�Uw datte LINDA V. KOSIER, CMC, CITY CLERK CARL SABATELLO